The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-09-17

round me set up cheer, in which hest
tate to join; for do 1 not belong to those
who are the subjects of the ovation. Their
dangers and privations l have shared. l
am not quite alone in my silence. There is
at my left hand an old man, who stands
rigid as statue, but with eyes blazing
with a strange, fiery eagerness, as the men
gather into military order and tramp away
through the station gates in the track of
their earlier comrades; and hanging upon
his arm is woman in black, closely yelled
perhaps it was a mistake. and it was
some one like John at little distance, but
not himself" says the father, as l instantly
elect to believe him. The tones have in
them such depth of sadness and vain re-
greet that unconsciously fall to studying
the speakers face. 1t is a striking and
noble one, though there are signs that both
pride and passion have done work there
upon with their ruthless craving tools. AS
| watch, there comes to me the conviction
that these lineaments are not wholly
strange; yet l am baf11ed to discover any
basis for the curious fancy of familiarity.
His companion murmurs something
which the shrek of whistle causes me
to lose Gas if l had the remotest right to
play the eavesdropper.)
'Ah, John! Can he not trust me to for
give him every thing!" the old man an
swers.
'"rhis is your train, sir. Any luggageln
/ saunter leisurely off in the rear of the
porter l have tipped, and the episode
scarce worthy of such designation-is1at
an end. But that fragment of conversation
comes back at this hour as if it were even
now ringing in my ears and | am trying to
account for the enduring nature of these
recollections as weave them together.
1 paused at the preceding paragraph
three hours ago, and took my hat and over
coat-for it is stormy October highland
went to Mostyn, as the Hildreth's home
is called. Mrs. Bristowe's visit draws to
a close. She has father staying with
friends in southern cathedral city, and
she has but fulfilled an old promise by thus
invading the Fen country. Parent and
daughter return simultaneously, or as near
ly as they can contrive it, TO their London
residence. Further delay on my part might
have been disastrous. By which hint l
have perhaps revealed that do not write
as disappointed man. Yet there was
hazard and uncertainty
Mrs. Hlldreth haS more than suspicion
dexterity, TO leave Margaret and me to
tete-a-tete, a service for which [ shall ever
. owe my partners wife a debt of gratitude
Hildreth was attending old Sir Lucas Can
nithorne at Gamble Manor for govt Ihad
counted upon this; though, had he been at
home, my friend and colleague, make no
doubt, would have caught a peculiar
twinkle in his wifes eyes-or have prac-
ticed the art of divination for himself-and
have remembered a neglected call.
l am not going to enter into details. Let
it suffice that l offered my hand to Mrs.
Bristowe-my heart was hers already-and
was refused. But she admitted that to
some extent she reciprocated my feelings
of regard and affection; whereupon l
plucked up courage to inquire into the rea
sons Of her decision.
During the course of the conversation
that ensued between us, it was borne in
upon me more and more that Margaret was
the girl who had suffered so crushing a
discontinue in the jewelers. shop at Rem
ford. l was determined in some way to
have this question resolved before wishing
her farewell. But she forestalled my pur
| pose.
"Our acquaintance has been agreeable to
}
any idea, Mr.. Bruton, that it was not in this
room that we met-or rather were thrown
into accidental proximity for the first or
the second time?"
| started at these last words. Was Mar
garet the yelled lady of the railway plat
form! II must acknowledge that am pre-
pared to hear it," 1 answered. Our eyes
met and there was the bond henceforth of
mutual understanding between US. But
how full Of hopeless pain was Margarets
glance! And then, bit by bit, she confided
TO me the story, which, in her view, consti-
tuted an insurmountable obstacle in the
path of my happiness. She had prodigal
brother, who had only escaped condign
punishment for his misdemeanors by op-
perfume disappearance. The burden of
vicarious shame lay heavy on her soul, and
she most resolutely purposed to bear the
load alone.
"We know nothing of Jacks where
abouts or mode of life now," she said
land it is my daily dread that some new
disgrace may yet come upon us. will not
expose another to this irksome risk"
My temerity surely transgressed the
bounds of courtesy. "But you married
Mr. Bristower' l said.
The delicate oval features were mantled
with vivid blush, and l construed the
sign as chiefly one of anger. 1t had a very
different, and, for me, less awkward ex-
PLANTATION.
''Poor Dickl will not say one harsh
word of him." she nurmured "But-I did
not-girl as l was-care for Dick as a
woman ought to care for the man she mar
ries. He was my fathers choice for me
ha nod lyion Cd Of